Museum of Nature & Science to Host Events Tuesday for Transit of Venus

The Museum of Nature & Science will be hosting a series of events during the day on Tuesday, June 5 for the transit of the planet Venus across the Sun. This is a rare astronomical event that will not occur again until December 2117! Media are invited to attend the transit events planned at the Museum for Tuesday, June 5.

June 5 Transit of Venus

It’s never safe to look at the sun without specialized equipment, so here’s your chance to join the Museum of Nature & Science in Fair Park to view the transit of the planet Venus across the sun—a rare astronomical event that will not occur again until December 2117! The Venus Transit may be observed from Texas on the evening of June 5 using the correct equipment to safely observe the sun, with safe solar observing information provided by the Museum during scheduled programs and activities throughout the day. Programming and activities include:

–Transit Shows and Portable Universe Star Talks (mobile Planetarium domes) at the Museum beginning at 11 a.m. that will discuss the Venus transit, its relevance to current science, solar safety and what is in the sky that night. Solar Safety glasses will be handed out at shows with limited supplies available (first come, first serve).
–Outdoor solar observing at the Museum – Weather permitting from 10:30 a.m.–Noon and 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
–Planetarium regularly scheduled shows at the Museum with information about the Venus Transit available. The Planetarium is open to the general public each day in the summer, through September 3.
–(Offsite) Evening Outreach to local Star Parties hosted by the Texas Astronomical Society – Click on Calendar and Date for Details about Events; Weather permitting

*Museum of Nature & Science staff will attend local star parties to represent the Museum; Open to public from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

June 5 – Transit Shows and Portable Universe Star Talks will take place in the Nature Building (3535 Grand Avenue in Fair Park) at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and are included in general admission of $10, $9 students and seniors 62 and older, $7 kids 2-11, children under 2 are free.

Outdoor solar observing is free and will take place on the steps of the Science Building (1318 South 2nd Avenue in Fair Park).

Planetarium Shows will take place in the Planetarium (1620 First Avenue in Fair Park) and require a ticket purchase of $3.50 for adults, students, seniors and children 2-11; children under 2 are free.

*Note: The methods that astronomers will be using to look at the Venus Transit and the sun that day includes specialized equipment. It is never safe to look at the sun. Sun glasses will not block the harmful rays enough to make those viewing method’s safe.